• Welcome to AlpineZone, the largest online community of skiers and snowboarders in the Northeast!

    You may have to REGISTER before you can post. Registering is FREE, gets rid of the majority of advertisements, and lets you participate in giveaways and other AlpineZone events!

East Osceola - Nov. 14, 2004

Elk Oil

New member
Joined
Nov 5, 2004
Messages
18
Points
0
Date(s) Hiked: Sunday, November 14, 2004

Trails(s) Hiked: Greeley Ponds Trail to Osceola Trail

Total Distance: ~7 miles round trip

Difficulty: Strenuous due to the conditions and my full pack

Conditions: Mostly Ice

Special Required Equipment: Crampons, Ice Axe

Trip Report: I'll expound on the details later, but thought I'd at least let everyone know that winter conditions are prevalent. The approach and first quarter of Osceola Trail were fine; bare ground. After that, though, things were nothing but ice for the rest of the way up; either ice from compressed snow or water ice from seep springs and run-off. The snow isn't deep -- maybe 6 inches in spots, and it's useless to gain any real purchase on.

Luckily, I brought all my gear with me, so I stepped into my crampons and didn't have any problems. You'll need an axe for the steeper pitches. I met another 8 people on the way up, and most of them had to turn around at various points. Only four people, including me, made it to the top yesterday. Since I was the only one there with crampons, the other folks were relegated to walking off the trail in places where the water ice was too trecherous, or sliding down on their fannies where it was too rocky. Too risky, if you ask me.

I had the summit all to myself, as well as the whole mountain upon descent. I didn't see another soul once I passed two guys on their way down. I hiked that last 2 hours in the dark.

So if you go, go prepared and you'll have a great time!
 

thetrailboss

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jun 4, 2004
Messages
32,963
Points
113
Location
NEK by Birth
Elk Oil said:
I'll expound on the details later, but thought I'd at least let everyone know that winter conditions are prevalent. The approach and first quarter of Osceola Trail were fine; bare ground. After that, though, things were nothing but ice for the rest of the way up; either ice from compressed snow or water ice from seep springs and run-off. The snow isn't deep -- maybe 6 inches in spots, and it's useless to gain any real purchase on.

Since I was the only one there with crampons, the other folks were relegated to walking off the trail in places where the water ice was too trecherous, or sliding down on their fannies where it was too rocky. Too risky, if you ask me.

So if you go, go prepared and you'll have a great time!

After my Vet Day Hike at Tecumseh, I concur.
 
Top